City makes a $3.3m bid to fund sports projects

THE state government has invited the City of Greater Geelong to resubmit its play spaces application as part of a second round of funding in the Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) Community Sport Stimulus Infrastructure Program.

In July 2020, the city submitted funding applications to the state government program for a range of pavilions and family-friendly facilities, sports-lighting and play space projects worth nearly $16 million.

The city’s application received $2.25 million in sports-lighting grants under the 2020 funding round, which was announced in August last year.
Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher thanked the state government for the opportunity.

“I’d like to thank the Victorian Government for the opportunity to resubmit a funding application to improve these play spaces,” Cr Asher said.

“We know that play helps children to learn about the world in which they live, engage with nature, challenge themselves, learn new skills and have fun, so I look forward to the result of our application.”

At last week’s meeting, council endorsed the funding application of $3.33 million to the SRV program, which includes play space upgrades at:

• St Helens Park in North Geelong
• Waurn Ponds Skate Park
• Aldershot Reserve in St Albans Park and
• St Leonards Skate Park.

Cr Ron Nelson, chair of the council’s sport portfolio, said the application was a great opportunity to fast-track these works.

“Access to good quality social infrastructure, like play spaces, is essential for our overall physical and mental health, wellbeing and economic prosperity,” Cr Nelson said.

“It’s welcome news we have been invited to resubmit our funding application to improve these important community spaces and we appreciate the support we have received from the Victorian Government in the first round of this program.

“We’re hopeful for another positive result so we can progress the upgrades to these facilities for our community.”

The council has also committed to fund 10 per cent of any successful project from within the 2021-22 Budget. If all submitted projects are approved, the council would contribute $359,530.

Originally announced in June 2020, the SRV Sport Stimulus Infrastructure Program is aimed at funding community sporting infrastructure and supporting local employment.